Every year, the Trout Lake Fair committee chooses people to honor through out the festivities (held last weekend), usually someone from Trout Lake. This year the committee chose people who, though not residents of Trout Lake, are known by most of us for their tireless efforts to preserve the wilderness and integrity of Mt. Adams.

Having grown up in the shadow of Mt Adams on the Flying L Ranch, outside Glenwood, Darvel and Darryl Lloyd developed a passion for the mountain that led to a sense of respect and responsibility to protect this sacred treasure.

Their commitment led to the development in 1970 of the Mt. Adams Wilderness Institute. For 10 years they taught mountaineering skills to groups who shared their interest through educational and experiential programs. The Institute ended in 1980 after the eruption of Mount St. Helens led to limiting their access.

The two founded "Friends of Pah-to" in the early 1970s to unite people who shared the pledge to keep this natural wonder "forever wild."

In 2004, Darryl founded the Friends of Mt. Adams to support the study of and advocacy for "Pah-to." Until 1996 they shared the inn keeping responsibilities for the family's Flying L Ranch.

Darryl is now a full time photographer whose images appear in regional and national publications. He presents educational and photographic programs about the mountain, and often donates his expertise to environmental causes.

Darvel now lives and works in social services in Portland. Both continue to lead others on adventures to heighten love and understanding of our beautiful mountain.

It is appropriate here to announce the Friends of Mount Adams annual Summer Gathering -- which is introduced with two days of hiking -- on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12 and 13.

Those wishing to participate in the hikes will meet at the Trout Lake School parking lot (east side of Hwy 141, about a mile south of the town of Trout Lake) at 8:30 a.m. on both days.

Hikes:

Veteran mountain guides, Darryl and Darvel Lloyd, will each lead two strenuous hikes on the SE and SW sides of Mt. Adams. These will traverse seldom-seen subalpine areas within the Yakama Nation Wilderness and USFS Mt. Adams Wilderness, and will involve off-trail hiking on moderately-rough terrain (subjective, I know!). Also offered will be easier trail hikes in Bird Creek Meadows and/or Hellroaring valley. These will be scheduled based on demand and will be led by people who know the area.

Ridge of Wonders hike, led by Darryl on Saturday. Start at Bench Lake (4,920 feet), drop to 4,760 feet and take an old trail to Island Spring Camp at 5,320. Then ascend off-trail to a spectacular viewpoint on the Ridge of Wonders (6,830 feet). Views of Klickitat Glacier icefalls, the Klickitat headwall and Big Muddy canyon. Optional climb of Little Mt. Adams cinder cone (6,800 feet), 7 miles round-trip, elevation gain 2,100 feet. (Little Mt. Adams adds 360 feet vertical to the hike.) Return by way of Hellroaring Meadow and Heart Lake. Bring sandals for crossing a marshy area at the base of Ridge of Wonders.

Bird Creek Meadows grand loop hike, led by Darvel on Saturday and Darryl on Sunday. Start at Bird Lake (5,585 feet), pass Bluff Lake and make a big loop of the famous Bird Creek Meadows -- where wildflowers will be prime. About half of the distance is off-trail. The high point will be the top of a big neoglacial moraine (7,895 feet) overlooking an iceberg lake and views of the lower Mazama Glacier, 7 miles total, 2,310 feet elevation gain. Those who choose not to climb the moraine can wait in a nice meadow at timberline at 7,200 ft.

Crofton Ridge hike, led by Darvel on Sunday. Start at Morrison Creek Campground (4,650 feet) and take Shorthorn Trail #16 to Round-the-Mountain Trail #9, then a quarter of a mile off-trail to the high point on Crofton Ridge (6,227 feet). Stunning views of Mt. Adams' SW face and the source of many large debis avalanches. Views also of Mt. St. Helens and distant Mt. Hood. There will be other short off-trail excursions to investigate the phantom-like Morrison Creek and minerals under Salt Creek falls (possibly where "Salt Creek" got its name), 7 miles total, about 1,800 feet elevation gain (with side trips). Bring good hiking boots/shoes for the off-trail hikes, plenty of water, food, sun protection, mosquito repellent, appropriate clothing (based on the weekend weather forecast), optional items such as a map, camera, flower book, first aid kit, binoculars (for spotting mountain goats), etc.

Hikes are generally limited to 10 plus the leader(s). No dogs, please!

Car pooling at the Trout Lake School parking lot, 8:30 a.m. both days. Plan on a one hour drive to trailheads on a rough road. Riders are encouraged to give drivers $5 toward gas and Yakama Nation day use permits ($5 per car). Fee is collected by tribal rangers along the road at Mirror Lake. NW Forest Pass required for cars going to the Crofton Ridge trailhead.

There will be a potluck dinner and Friends of Mt. Adams meeting on Saturday night after the hikes. Please call Darryl Lloyd for additional information regarding that.

Contact Darryl Lloyd [longshadow@gorge.net] (541) 387-2217 for additional formation and to make a reservation to participate in the hikes.

In response to requests from the community, the Trout Lake Presbyterian Church will be offering a Sunday School class for children beginning Sept. 10.

Classes for children from preschool to 10 years old will be held in the fellowship hall from 10 to 11 a.m. each Sunday morning. There will be instruction in Bible stories, complete with art and music taught by the well qualified grandparents of the church.

Call Diana Sanders at 395-2913, or Janet Anderson at 395-9307 for additional information.